How would you interpret ‘plain old sad’ in the context? My heart is full of happiness, just knowing you are holding this letter in your hand. Thank you for being an author. You have gotten me through a lot of sad times, when my mother died especially. Sometimes I do everything I can just to get through the day, so I can curl up at night with my favorite book. When life is humdrum or just plain old sad I know you will take me away to the place where troubles are forgotten. When I get a letter back from you my life will be complete. Thank you, thank you. How would you interpret ‘plain old sad’ in the sentence: When life is humdrum or just plain old sad…? Thanks! And it’s a letter written by a reader to a novelist.